Question: Info on Architect Herb Fritz?

Tim from Wisconsin emailed us this question below. Can anyone help?

I recently acquired a 1960 Herb Fritz house in rural Wisconsin and am trying to find out more info about Herb Fritz and his other projects. Thanks, and keep up the great work! - Tim

If you have any info, leave a comment.

Image from Eric Saed's Flickr Photostream

Comments

[kathe knitch]

Old campers? Old photos? I was there in the mid 70's. Would love to reconnect!
kknitch@yahoo.com

[Allan]

I am fortunate to own a Herb Fritz home in the near mountains of Southern California. The house is surrounded by 55 acres of national forest and is elevated on a mountain side above the town of Wrightwood. The house is of the usonian style and is completley done in natural clear grain redwood. I have owned the Fritz designed masterpiece since the early '70s. I so much wanted him to visit and was in contact with him when he was in AZ and at home. Unfortunately time just didn't permit. I would like to somehow get a photo of Herb Fritz so I can frame and put up in the entry way to the house. It's a one of a kind design and I am so proud to be the owner. My email is : nalief@yahoo.com ) allan

[portia]

I too was a camper back in the early 1970's. I go back often to the APT and one day out of curiousity went back to Hill Top. I ran into Eloise who was possibly the most lovely and gracious host. She invited me up on to the garden terrace where I first learned how to arrange flowers and Ty's wife (forgetting name) made me some ice tea and we sat there for a very nice afternoon visit. A treat beyond any expectaction.
Portia

[fond camper]

Would love to visit....been down the drive and have wonderful memories, do not want to intrude but Hilltop was/is a very big part of my life. Eloise and family are there during the summer. Are visitors welcome?

[fond camper]

Just love the stories/memories....Would love to visit again and perhaps a reunion. They did however ruin the much loved stable/horses...by making modern/not quite Hilltop. The herds galloping/fresh dew as we chased them into the corral for our first group of riders....I can see it now....Thank you Herb/Eloise for this big big enjoyable memory....

[Modern Design]

I know he's designed some fantastic modern looking homes. I wouldn't mind owning one by him if I had the chance. I wish I had a list of where the homes are I'd love to just check them out.

[mary vollman vance]

I was camp director at Hilltop in 1961. Interesting experience. Is Ty dead or do I just think I read that somewhere.

[Teresa Fritz Scott snowangel@dishmail.net]

Hi,
If any one would like to get in touch with me about Herb Fritz's architecture or Eloise Fritz and Hilltop, you can email me. Would love to hear from you. I live in the mountains of Colorado so am far from Hilltop. Recently Eloise and I traveled around Wisconsin photographing some of my father's architectural projects. It was a wonderful experience to see so many of his wonderful buildings that I had never seen, some just in the drawings as I was growing up. He had a special unique way of merging beauty, function and cost efficiency. He always remained true to his aesthetics of harmonizing with Nature and the environment while fulling the function of the building for the client's needs. He was a great Dad with a marvelous sense of humor who loved a good joke. His mentor, Frank Lloyd Wright, helped him along the way when he was a young man, he recognized Herb's dedication and talent. Herb's legacy in architecture would make him proud as well as all the rest of us. Eloise will be able to share information with those of you who would like to get in touch about the Fritz architectural legacy.

[Teresa Fritz Scott snowangel@dishmail.net]

Hi,
I am Herb and Eloise Fritz's daughter and was delighted to have a friend turn me on to this link. I should mention that Hilltop is still a place for good times and operates for special occasions such as weddings and retreats. Ty, Janelle and their sons take good care of the place. Eloise loves visiting with her friends and talking about her camp memories as she remembers all of her campers who she dearly loved, her "little rabbits". She will be happy to share information about Herb's architectural work for she is well informed and is his greatest admirer.
There will be a book with Herb's memoirs, photos of buildings and drawings at some point, it is slowly in the works. Janelle answers the phone at Hilltop, so would put you in touch with Eloise or give you information and a good time to visit between those special events. All the buildings are still in use. Some of the houses that campers remember have permanent residents year around and the barn is still the living room and downstairs is the summer kitchen...I always love "coming home"! The family goes to Arizona in the winter but is there Spring, Summer and Fall. Give a call to the Fritz family, they would appreciate your interest and fond memories.

[kathe]

There now is a Camp-Hilltop facebook page!

[Hector Cedrun]

Does Herb Fritzhave kids am doing a project/ documentary on Frank loyd Wright in Los Angeles and I would like to interview family members on an event Herb witness in his early years and I want to contact people who knew him well and possible tales from his days with frank Loyd Wright and his family, thank you

Hector Cesrun

[Eric]

Hector, you might want to contact Teresa Fritz Scott, who posted two spots above you for info.

[Kenneth Casper]

still interested in books about herb fritz. what are the titles?

[Eric]

Kenneth, according to Teresa Fritz Scott's post above, it seems like there is a book in the works, but I am not familiar with any about Mr. Fritz at this point. Hopefully soon!

[Linda Jordan]

I have lived in one of Herb Fritz's houses for 16 years and am reluctantly selling it because I am engaged. My finace is self-employed with a home business. Living in his home is more practical. I will certainly miss my home. I am the third owner. I think pictures were taken in 1996. If anyone reading this would like to see current ones - or if you know of anyone who is looking for a modern house in the near west side of Madison, I have it listed on FSBO and here is the link:
http://www.fsbomadison.com/details.asp?ID=15492

[tripp wilson]

My family has a home in south west Michigan and the plans hang on the wall by the second floor balcony, they are signed by Herbert Fritz and dated 1928. Is this possibly one of his earliest works? Tripp.

[Scott T.]

Tripp Wilson: The earliest design that I know of by Wright apprentice Herb Fritz Jr. of Spring Green dates back to the late '40s. He would have been 13 years old in 1928. It's unlikely his father was involved, either, as he worked as a mason for FLLW in Spring Green and I don't believe he executed designs of his own. Most likely another line of Fritzes altogether. Is your family home Wrightian?

Best, Scott T.

[Tripp Wilson]

Hi Scott, Thank you for responding, The house is Wrightian, the blue prints are signed by Herbert Fritz and Robert Goodall and dated June 1930. My great grandmother had this home built as it now stands, as a summer home, her winter residence was Hyde Park area of Chicago. Tripp